Troops must be properly equipped

"The Government must
now take a serious look at whether it's continuing to
collect on the insurance provided by our defence forces,
without paying the full dividend," according to National
Party Defence spokesman Simon Power.

He's commenting after
the Government announcement today of a further deployment to
the Solomon Islands.

"National wishes the New Zealand Army
Infantry company well in its mission and, like all New
Zealanders, look forward to their safe return.

"The job
they are going to do is important and vital work.

"Getting the guns out of the hands of militants must be
the first step in a lasting peace in the Islands," Mr Power
says.

"New Zealand's Defence personnel were already
acquitting themselves well in the Solomons and the
reinforcements will make the task easier for the police and
defence staff already there.

"National welcomes the
deployment and hopes every effort is being taken to ensure
the group is properly equipped," Mr Power says.

"There
are now several large deployments of New Zealand Defence
staff in, or due to leave for, the world's most dangerous
spots.

"The risk of overstretching our under-resourced
force is now greater than ever," Mr Power says.

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